Railway signal apparatus



J. B. PITTS. RAILWAY SIGNAL'APPARATUS.

Feb. 13, 1923.

FILED OCT. 23. 3922.

Patented Feb. 13, 1923.

innate JOHN B; PITTS, OF LOUISVTLLE, KENTUCKY.

RAILWAY SIGNAL APPARATUS.

Application filed October 23, 1922. Serial No. 596,358.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN B. Prr'rs, a citizen of the United States, residing at Louisville, in the county of Jefferson and State of Kentucky, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Railway Signal Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to apparatus for setting torpedoes used in railway signaling, and its object is to provide an improved apparatus of this kind which places a torpedo in position to be exploded by a train coming down the main line and passing a switch which had been set to shunt an approaching train to a branch or siding, and which switch had been thrown open by the firstmentioned train in passing over the same,

thus warning the engineer of the presence of a train ahead of him.

The invention also has for its object to provide a torpedo placing apparatus which is entirely automatic, as well as reliable in operation, and which is comparatively simple in structure and devoid of complicated parts liable to get out of order.

With the objects stated in view, the invention consists in a novel combination and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter described and claimed, and in order that the same may be better understood, reference is had to the accompanying drawing, wherein- Figure 1 is a plan view showing the application of the invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged cross-section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing the parts in another position, and

Fig. 4: is a horizontal section on the line 4 i of Fig. 3.

The preferred embodiment of the inventi on has been disclosed, but it will be understood that various changes and modifica tions may be made without a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed hereinafter.

In the drawing, the reference numeral 5 denotes the rails of the main line or track, and 6 denotes the rails of a branch track or siding. The switch is one of conventional design, and includes a movable switch point 7 which latter is located inwardly of one of the rails 5 and moves toward the same when the switch is closed. The switch point will now be described.

To that side of the web 7* of the switch point 7 which faces the adjacent rail 5, is bolted or otherwise rigidly secured a supporting block or bracket member 8 having a vertical aperture in which works a slidable plunger 9 having its lower end provided with a head 9 To one end of the sup port 8, at the bottom thereof, is hinged or pivoted, as shown at 10, a supporting member 11 for a torpedo 12. The member 11 is so mounted that it may be swung upwardly to bear against the bottom of the support 8, and its top has a recess 11 to seat the torpedo. The recess l1 is so located that the torpedo 12 therein is below and in alinement with the plunger head 9 when the member 11 is swung upwardly to bear against the bottom of the support. The plunger '9 may be frictionally held elevated in the aperture of the member 8; or it may rest. on the torpedo.

When the switch point 7 is moved to open the switch, the member 11 drops down and away from the support 8 as shown in Fig. 3, and the plunger 9 is also now so far from the adjacent rail 5, that the wheel flanges would miss the same. When the switch oint 7 is thrown to close the switch,

as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the plunger 9 comes alongside the head of the rail 5, and so close thereto that the flange of a wheel 13 traveling on said rail would bear down on the upper end of the plunger and force the same downwardly. This downward movement of the plunger causes its head 9 to strike the torpedo 12, thereby exploding the same. The plunger 9, of course, rises to such a height from the support 8 that it will not be missed by the wheel flange. When, the switch point 7 was shifted as the switch was closed. the torpedo-supporting member 11. swung upwardly to place the torpedo directly beneath the plunger head. This movement of the torpedo-supporting memher is obtained by said member riding up the inclined top surface of the inner base flange of the adjacent rail ans will be apparent from an inspection of Figs. 2 and 3.

I claim:

1. In a railway signal apparatus, the combination with a switch point and the adjacent rail toward which the point moves when the switch is closed; of a torpedo-supporting member and a torpedo-esplodi means carried by the switch point, said means, when the switch point is moved to switchclosing position, being positioned in the path of the flange of a wheel. running on the :ii'oresaid rail.

2. in railway signal ztpparatus, the combination with switch. point and the adjacent rail toward which the point moves vlicn the switch is closed; oil? a torpedo-supporting member and a torpedo-exploding means carried by the switch point, said means, when the switch point is moved to switch-closing; position, being; positioned in the path of a wheel running on the aforesaid rail,

2') In a railway signal. apparatus, the com bination with a switci point and the adjacent rail toward which the point moves when the switch is closed; of a torpedo supporting member and a torpedo-erqjloding plunger carried by the switch point, said plunger, when the switch point is moved to switch closing; position, being positioned in the path of the flange of a wheel running on the aforesaid rail.

4. in a railway signal apparatus, the combination with a switch point and the adjacent rail toward which the point moves when the switch is closed; of a torpedo-supportingr member and Z1 torpedo-exploding plunger carried by the switch point, said plunger,

when the switch point is moved to switchelosing position, being positioned in the path (it wheel running on the aforesaid rail.

In a railway signal apparatus, the combination with a switch point and the adjacent rail toward which the point moves when the switch is closed; of a bracket member carried by the switch point, a vertically slidable plunger carried by said member, a pivoted torpedo-support carried by the bracket member, and. movable to bring the torpedo into alinement with the plunger when the switch point is moved to switch-closing position, such movement of the switch point also positioning the plunger in the path of the flange of wheel running; on the aforesaid rail.

6. In a railway apparatus, the combination with a switch point and the adjacent rail toward which the point moves when the switch is closed; of a bracket member carried by the switch point, a vertically slideble plunger carried by said member, a pivoted torpedo-support carried by the bracket member, and movable to bring); the torpedo into alinement with the plunger when the switch point is moved to switch-closing position, such movement of the switch point also positioning the plunger in the path of a wheel running on the aforesaid rail.

In testimony whereof I my signature.

JOHN B PITTS. 

